Indian teenager’s poem impresses Musharraf: PTI

NEW DELHI: A poem written by an Indian teenager impressed President Pervez Musharraf and he assured her he would do his best to improve relations between the two South Asian rivals, reports said Wednesday.

The poem titled “Symbiosis” was written by 15-year-old Srishti Krishnamurthy and inspired by the camaraderie shared by the two countries’ cricketers during India’s first full tour of Pakistan in 15 years in April, the Press Trust of India News agency said.

The teenager, from the southern city of Mangalore, sent copies of the poem to Indian President Abdul Kalam and Musharraf, the agency said.

Though both presidents answered her mail, it was Musharraf’s reply that excited her more as Srishti did not know his official address and had just marked it to “the President of Pakistan, Islamabad,” the United News of India (UNI) news agency said.

Musharraf’s reply said: “It is heartening to see the recently-concluded cricket series had acted as a bridge between the people of India and Pakistan.

“I am glad that a young lady like you had felt elated about it,” UNI quoted from Musharraf’s letter.

“Your poem certainly touches the soul and is very moving. It is also a manifestation of your high intellect. Let me assure you I will try my best to convert your dreams into reality. Keep up the good work. I wish you good health, happiness and success in life.”

Srishti’s 91-line poem was packed with lines that read “Our relation is not from the blood, but rather stained by blood. Barbed wire ran across with glee ... Let love wash away the pain ... someone can say to a child look beyond our brothers wait for us.”

An overjoyed Srishti said she had “never expected a reply” from President Musharraf. “So when it came (on June 16 last), I was obviously very excited,” UNI quoted her as saying. afp

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